There will be an increased level of tension and violence in Ghana as the general elections inch closer, Security Analyst, Kwesi Aning has predicted.
According to Mr. Aning, the number of vigilante groups affiliated with the two main political parties will lead to an increase in violence ahead of the general elections in December.
“I think we will see considerably more and of increasing intensity and violence as we head towards the elections,” Mr. Aning said.
On Sunday, members of both the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) clashed during a health walk which was organised by the latter.
The Police struggled to control the charged crowd, some of whom reportedly hauled stones into the residence of the opposition leader.
Aside this incident, there have been other clashes between the two parties in some areas in Greater Accra and other regions.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Mr. Aning said the recent clashes between both parties might “just be the beginning” of an intensified tension that may arise ahead of the polls.
He therefore emphasized the need for security forces to be on high alert to control the influx weapons in the country ahead of the elections.
He further emphasized the need for a rigorous interrogation of the incident that occurred yesterday since he believes these recent developments had “multiple implications.”
Mr. Aning wondered why it took emergency response team so long to come to the aid of the police officers who were under attack.
He said a similar situation happened in other areas where the Police had been attacked consistently without any intervention.
“For the past couple of months the Police have been attacked consistently. The recent one being Donkorkrom, Odododiodio constituency. The new Nima incident raises concern about the emergency back ups, the use of intelligence so there are a lot of things.”
The other issue, that he believes should be considered is the “gun availability and whether the weapon or weapons that were used were seized.”
He also called for the arrest of the culprits who have been involved in various clashes to serve as a deterrent to others.
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(Via: CitiFM Online Ghana)